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Purushaha Review: Works Only in Parts

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Movie Name Purushaha
Rating 2.25/5
Cast Pavan Kalyan battula, Saptagiri, Vennela Kishore, Kasireddy Raj Kumar, Rayancha Kokkura, Vishika, Hasini Sudheer, Sri Sandhya, Gabi Rock, Anaira Gupta, Rajeev Kanakala, Pammi Sai
Director Veeru Vulavala
Produced By Kalyan Productions
Release Date 22nd May, 2026

Purushaha, starring Battula Pawan Kalyan in his debut, has hit theatres today. This Purushaha review explores how director Veeru Ulavala attempts to blend family emotions, friendship, romance, and comedy into an emotional entertainer. Produced by Battula Koteswara Rao, the film tackles the relatable theme of marital conflicts but struggles to deliver consistent emotional impact.

Purushaha Story

The story revolves around Govind, played by Battula Pawan Kalyan, along with his childhood friends Sattibabu (Sapthagiri) and Srinu (Kasireddy Rajkumar). Even after marriage, the trio maintains a strong friendship. However, problems begin to arise in their personal married lives.

Several misunderstandings and emotional issues create distance in their relationships, eventually pushing all three friends towards divorce courts amid dramatic situations. The premise is relatable—married couples facing conflicts is a universal theme that resonates across audiences.

Performances

Battula Pawan Kalyan performs decently in his debut film, showing promise in emotional scenes. Rayancha Kokkura makes her presence felt with glamor and acting, while Vishika and Hasini Sudheer deliver decent performances in their respective roles.

The comedy trio of Sapthagiri, Kasireddy Rajkumar, and Vennela Kishore spread some good laughs throughout. Rajkumar, who recently appeared in Godari Gattupaina, showcases solid comic timing. Rajiv Kanakala, VTV Ganesh, Ananth Sriram, Pammi Sai, Mirchi Kiran, and others were alright in their supporting roles.

Analysis

Veeru Ulavala directs Purushaha with a relatable storyline of conflicts between married couples. No matter how many films explore this theme, it remains relevant to audiences. The director extracts some impressive scenes between Govind and his wife, while the comedy track featuring Vennela Kishore, Sapthagiri, and Kasireddy Rajkumar generates decent laughs.

The film’s core strength lies in its relatability. Marital misunderstandings, communication gaps, and friendship dynamics are themes that connect with viewers. A few crucial dialogues about relationships land well and offer moments of genuine emotion.

However, despite the relatable premise, the film fails to present the required emotional depth in characters and proceedings. The screenplay doesn’t allow audiences to invest deeply in the protagonists’ journeys. While the first half emerges as passable with adequate entertainment, the second half suffers from sluggish pacing and fails to engage properly.

The climax attempts to deliver an emotional message about relationships, but it doesn’t provide the intended impact due to weak dramatic buildup. The film needed tighter writing and more nuanced character development to truly resonate.

Positives

  • Relatable Storyline
  • Comedy Scenes Work Well
  • A Few Crucial Dialogues About Relationships
  • Decent Debut Performance

Negatives

  • Weak Screenplay
  • Lacks Emotional Depth
  • Sluggish Second Half
  • Predictable Narrative

Purushaha Review – Final Verdict

Purushaha, despite being made with a relatable storyline, only works in parts. While some comedy scenes and crucial emotional moments shine, the sluggish narration and lack of a strong, engaging screenplay limit it to a below-average watch. Battula Pawan Kalyan shows promise in his debut, but the film needed tighter execution to do justice to its premise.

Gaayapadda Simham OTT Release: Prime Video Streams New Films

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The comedy entertainer Gaayapadda Simham, which failed at the box office, has now arrived on OTT along with Sathi Leelavathi, Memu Copulam, and System.

Gaayapadda Simham Now Streaming on Prime Video

Gaayapadda Simham stars Tharun Bhascker, Faria Abdullah, Vishnu Oi, JD Chakravarthy, and Sree Vishnu in an extended cameo. The comedy film, which underperformed during its theatrical run, is now available for streaming on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam languages.

Directed by Tharun Bhascker, the film attempted to blend humor with social commentary but failed to connect with audiences in theaters.

Memu Copulam Web Series on ZEE5

ZEE5 is now streaming the Telugu original series Memu Copulam, produced by B. V. S. Ravi and Kaumudi K. Nemani under RAW Entertainments, in association with Pradeep Maddali Creative.

The series is directed by Pradeep Maddali, known for Vikkatakavi. Nagababu plays a key role in this Telugu web series, which explores the lives and struggles of common people.

Sathi Leelavathi and System Also Available

Lavanya Tripathi‘s Sathi Leelavathi arrived in theatres earlier this month and is now available for streaming on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Additionally, Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika‘s System (Hindi web series) is now streaming on Prime Video, with Telugu and Tamil audio options also available for South Indian viewers.

Multiple OTT Options This Weekend

Besides Gaayapadda Simham, OTT viewers have multiple entertainment options this weekend across Prime Video and ZEE5. For more Telugu OTT releases this weekend, check the complete streaming lineup.

The weekend lineup offers a mix of comedy, drama, and thriller content across multiple South Indian languages.

Karuppu First Week Box Office: ₹185 Cr Worldwide

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Suriya‘s Karuppu has concluded its first week on a high note, collecting around ₹185 Cr gross at the worldwide box office. The film has had an excellent run in theatres, with trade circles closely tracking its performance.

Karuppu First Week Collections Breakdown

According to trade numbers, the all India tracked gross for Karuppu stands at ₹116 Cr for the first week. However, actual collections are estimated to be over ₹130 Cr when including all circuits. This takes the worldwide gross to approximately ₹185 Cr.

CategoryFirst Week Collection
All India (Tracked Gross)₹116 Cr
All India (Actual Gross)₹130+ Cr
Worldwide Gross₹185 Cr

The gap between tracked and actual figures is standard in box office reporting. Tracked numbers represent verifiable data from major circuits, while actuals include estimates from smaller territories.

50% Higher Than Singam 2

Interestingly, the Karuppu first week collections are 50% higher than Singam 2, which was Suriya‘s previous career-best grosser. This demonstrates how massive the opening week has been for the film.

The comparison with Singam 2 provides important context. That film was a major commercial success and held the record as Suriya‘s highest grosser. Karuppu surpassing it by such a significant margin in week one alone shows the film’s strong box office pull.

Focus Shifts to Second Weekend

With a solid first week in place, trade attention is now turning to the second weekend. The film’s hold during this crucial period will determine its path toward bigger milestones.

The second weekend performance will also indicate whether Karuppu has the legs to sustain its box office run over the coming weeks.

God of War Update: NTR-Trivikram Glimpse Expected Soon

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NTR fans who were disappointed when the expected update from God of War wasn’t released on the actor’s birthday yesterday will be happy to know that the announcement is coming soon, according to industry reports.

The highly anticipated mythological action drama, directed by Trivikram Srinivas, has generated massive expectations since its announcement. Based on Hindu deity Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan), the film marks NTR’s first mythological role and is being touted as a pan-Indian spectacle.

Producer Hints at Imminent Shoot

Producer Naga Vamsi dropped a major hint on NTR’s birthday (May 20) when he posted “See you on the sets very soon anna” while wishing the actor on X (formerly Twitter). The cryptic message was interpreted by fans as confirmation that God of War is finally moving into production.

Vamsi, who will produce the film under Sithara Entertainments in association with Haarika & Hassine Creations, has described this project as a massive cinematic experience, indicating the scale and ambition behind the mythological drama.

When to Expect the God of War Update

According to industry sources, the God of War announcement glimpse is expected to drop in June 2026. The team is reportedly working on the glimpse currently, which will give fans their first look at NTR as the divine warrior.

The birthday update was highly anticipated by fans who expected glimpses from both God of War and NTR’s other project Dragon. While those updates didn’t arrive on May 20, the producer’s social media post has reignited excitement among the star’s fanbase.

A Mythological Epic in the Making

God of War will see NTR portray Lord Kartikeya, the commander of the divine army in Hindu mythology. This NTR-Trivikram collaboration reunites the successful Aravinda Sametha combination, raising expectations for another blockbuster.

The film is expected to begin shooting in the second half of 2026, once Trivikram completes his current project with Venkatesh. With a massive budget and pan-Indian vision, God of War is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Telugu films in recent years.

Dhurandhar Revenge Uncut Version Streams on Netflix Tonight

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The Dhurandhar Revenge Uncut Version is set to premiere on Netflix tonight (May 21), bringing Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar‘s spy action thriller in its raw, uncensored form to Indian audiences for the first time.

Record-Breaking Box Office and OTT Success

Dhurandhar: The Revenge created a huge sensation at the box office upon its theatrical release, grossing over ₹1300 Cr worldwide. The spy thriller’s theatrical success was followed by an unprecedented OTT performance that redefined streaming benchmarks.

The film shattered Netflix records with 15.8 million views in just 10 days, beating Animal and Pushpa 2 to become the most-watched Indian film on the platform. It went on to accumulate 26.3 million views over eight consecutive weeks of global trending.

Part 2’s International Uncut Release

Recently, the makers released the completely uncut version of Dhurandhar: The Revenge Part 2 exclusively for international viewers on Netflix. The sequel, which released in March 2026, has reportedly been receiving a strong response from overseas audiences with its raw and uncensored presentation.

Raw & Undekha Edition for India

In an exciting announcement for domestic viewers, Netflix revealed that the uncensored version of Part 1 will stream under the title “Raw & Undekha” starting tonight. This marks the first time Indian audiences will experience the film’s complete, unfiltered vision.

Meanwhile, the Indian OTT release of Part 2 is expected to arrive on JioHotstar from June 4th, as per the official statement.

Dhurandhar 2 Legal Trouble: PIL Filed in Delhi High Court

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Dhurandhar 2 has landed in legal trouble after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court over the film’s alleged portrayal of sensitive intelligence and defense operations.

PIL Alleges Official Secrets Act Violation

The petition was filed by Deepak Kumar, a personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), who alleged that the film violates the Official Secrets Act by revealing tactical and confidential details related to India’s intelligence and defense activities.

Delhi High Court’s Direction to CBFC

In a significant development, the Delhi High Court directed the Central Government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine the concerns raised in the petition. According to reports, the court asked both authorities to treat the PIL as an official representation and take an informed decision regarding the matter.

However, the bench also observed that the allegations made in the petition were not fully backed by substantial material evidence at this stage.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, reportedly stated that the censor board should establish proper guidelines while handling films dealing with sensitive national security topics.

About Dhurandhar 2

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The film reportedly follows the life and mission of an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Pakistan as part of a dangerous secret operation.

This is not the first time Dhurandhar 2 has faced legal challenges. Earlier, a ban petition was filed in Madras High Court over political content during Tamil Nadu elections.

This latest legal trouble faced by Dhurandhar 2 has now sparked major discussions across social media and the film industry, with many closely watching how the CBFC and central authorities respond to the court’s direction in the coming days.

P Bharat Bhushan Appointed APSFT&TDC Chairman in AP

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The Andhra Pradesh government has officially appointed film producer P Bharat Bhushan as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film, Television and Theatre Development Corporation (APSFT&TDC). The move signals a fresh chapter for the Telugu film industry in the state.

Industry Veteran Takes Charge

The appointment of Bharat Bhushan is being seen as a strategic move, given his decades of experience and strong industry connections. He previously served as the President of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and held the position of Vice President at the Film Federation of India. His long association with the Telugu film industry is expected to help strengthen coordination between the government and the cinema sector.

Industry circles are now expecting several important developments under his leadership, including the much-awaited return of the prestigious Nandi Awards in Andhra Pradesh. Megastar Chiranjeevi had earlier appealed to the government to revive the awards, and Bharat Bhushan’s appointment raises hopes for this long-pending initiative.

New Board Members Appointed

Along with the chairman appointment, the Andhra Pradesh government also nominated 14 members to the corporation’s board:

S.NoBoard Member Name
1Sunil Tati
2N. Shivaji
3Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao
4Bura Sai Madhav
5V. V. Nagesh
6Kuchipudi Subrahmanya Venkateswara Rao
7V. Samudra
8K. Upendra Varma Raju
9M. N.
10Kondavalasa Sambasiva Rao
11P. Satyanarayana
12N. Venkata Krishnareddy
13T. Raj Venkateswara Yadav
14D. Satyanarayana

What This Means for Telugu Cinema

The APSFT&TDC plays a crucial role in the development of cinema, television, and theatre activities in Andhra Pradesh. With this new leadership team in place, the industry is hopeful about fresh initiatives, policy support, and stronger encouragement for filmmakers and artists across the state.

The appointment comes at a time when Andhra Pradesh is working to strengthen its position as a major hub for Telugu film production, following similar initiatives by the Telangana government under Dil Raju's leadership at the Telangana Film Development Corporation.

Devara 2 Shelved? NTR Fans Lose Hope After Birthday Silence

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NTR fans who kept high hopes on Devara 2 are now fearing the sequel may be shelved, as the team remained silent on the actor’s birthday yesterday (May 20). Devara 2 shelved rumors have surfaced multiple times before, but the lack of any update on this crucial date has intensified concerns among the fanbase.

Dragon Takes Priority in NTR’s Schedule

NTR is currently occupied with Dragon, directed by Prashanth Neel. The glimpse released on his birthday showcased an intense avatar, and industry insiders believe it may not be a single-part film. Even though the makers haven’t announced anything officially, audiences also believe it could be a two-part film. Dragon is slated for a June 2027 release, which means NTR will be occupied with this project for a significant duration.

Trivikram’s God of Water Adds to the Queue

NTR has also committed to a film with Trivikram, God of Water. With Dragon taking priority and the Trivikram project in the pipeline, the question of where Devara 2 fits into NTR’s busy lineup remains unanswered.

Koratala Siva Announces Balakrishna Film

Adding fuel to the Devara 2 shelved speculation, Koratala Siva recently announced his next film starring Balakrishna. The project, tentatively titled NBK112, is expected to have its official opening ceremony today (May 21) and is targeting a Sankranthi 2027 release. This announcement came right after NTR’s birthday passed without any Devara 2 update, further strengthening fan concerns.

Similar silence from production teams has plagued other major projects recently, with films like Vishwambhara also leaving fans in the dark about release dates and promotional plans.

Will Devara 2 Be Revived?

While the silence has fueled shelving rumors, it’s worth noting that Koratala Siva could return to Devara 2 after completing the Balakrishna project. However, no official confirmation has come from either the director or the production house. It remains to be seen whether the team will address these concerns in the coming days or if Devara 2 will indeed be shelved indefinitely.

Karuppu 6 Days Box Office: Suriya’s Film Crosses 175 Cr

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Suriya’s Karuppu has delivered phenomenal numbers at the box office. The Karuppu 6 days collection stands at a worldwide gross of 175 Cr, making it the biggest grosser in the actor’s career.

In Tamil Nadu, Karuppu has been performing extraordinarily well, while the Telugu states have also welcomed it warmly. Suriya, known as the adopted son of Telugu audiences, has finally scored a solid hit that resonates across markets.

Karuppu 6 Days Collection Breakdown

According to trade reports, the territorial breakdown shows strong performance across all markets.

TerritoryGross (in Cr)
All India122
Overseas53
Worldwide Total175

The film is all set to achieve the 200 Cr mark by Saturday. Trade analysts expect Karuppu to chase the 300 Cr milestone worldwide in its full theatrical run.

Drishyam 3 Review: Jeethu Joseph Loses the Magic

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Movie Name Drishyam 3
Rating 2.5/5
Cast Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Siddique, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Santhi Mayadevi, Anjali Aneesh Upasana, Irshad
Director Jeethu Joseph
Produced By Aashirvad Cinemas
Release Date 21 May, 2026

Today marks the theatrical release of the much-awaited Drishyam 3, the conclusion of the popular thriller trilogy starring Mohanlal. Following the intense story of Georgekutty and his family as they try to outwit the system and hide their past, director Jeethu Joseph returns with the third installment after production was delayed earlier this year. Let’s find out what Drishyam 3 has in store in this review.

Story

Producer Georgekutty (Mohanlal) celebrates the successful release of his first film, a project inspired by his family’s history. Unbeknownst to him, a serious threat is emerging. A journalist, aiming to make a documentary about Varun’s death and the Georgekutty family’s alleged involvement, begins investigating Georgekutty, his family, and their associates. The narrative explores how Georgekutty faces these challenges and his method of coping.

Performances

Mohanlal delivers a natural performance and tries to excel in every scene, though the writing does not help him at times. Meena, Ansiba Hassan, and Esther Anil are fine, with the latter bringing a few comic moments. Asha Sharath and Siddique make a comeback in Drishyam 3, along with Murali Gopi and Kalabhavan Shajohn, and deliver decent performances.

Analysis

Jeethu Joseph comes up with the third installment of his most successful franchise, Drishyam. He repeatedly said that this time, he will focus more on drama and not thrills. The film moves in the exact mode that he mentioned.

Drishyam 3 starts with an interesting recap of the first two parts, and then, it goes at a leisurely pace, with the proceedings taking time to get going. We know that sooner or later, a major turn will come in the way of the protagonist, and the hint of it comes at the interval, with a crucial character’s entry.

The second half introduces multiple characters and twists, in which a few work while a few fall flat. But like the second part, all the action happens in the last half an hour, where Georgekutty’s game starts. It is not as excellent as the first and second parts, but it certainly brings some impact. However, the post-credits scene hinting at a fourth part looked completely unnecessary.

Positives

  • Mohanlal’s Performance
  • Scenes Leading up to the Interval
  • Some Twists in the Second Half

Negatives

  • Slow Narration
  • A Few Forced Twists
  • Proceedings and Plotting Against the Protagonist Could Have Been More Real

Drishyam 3 Review – Final Verdict

Drishyam 3 lacks the magic Jeethu Joseph brought to the first two films. Like the second part, the film has a detailed first half and twist-filled second half, but only a few twists work. The climax comes off better but does not deliver the expected punch that made the franchise special.